Nicaragua Roundup: Political consultations, confiscated assets, political prisoners

Political consultation with Qata

Qatar and Nicaragua recently held political consultations in the Latin nation's capital Managua, resulting in a Memorandum of Understanding to launch political consultations between their foreign ministries. The meeting, chaired by Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Nicaragua's Minister of Foreign Affairs, focused on bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance relations. Additionally, an agreement was made to exempt nationals from visa requirements, Qatar News Agency reports.

Confiscated assets of bankers

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has accused bankers of being "accomplices" to individuals, media outlets, and organisations whose assets were confiscated by his regime. President Ortega justifies the confiscations as seizures for the benefit of the poor and claims that the confiscated wealth was involved in money laundering, according to local media Confidencial. The Attorney General's Office also justifies the confiscations, claiming that the properties were unduly used and recovered for the people of Nicaragua. The report estimates the value of confiscated assets to be at least $250 million, and the regime has confiscated companies, homes, properties, media outlets, NGOs, universities, chambers of commerce, and churches.

Over 140 political prisoners

Nicaragua currently has over 140 political prisoners, including a teacher, a journalist, and their siblings who were kidnapped by the National Police. This is part of a systematic policy of repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime to silence critical voices. According to the Havana Times, the prisoners are subjected to mistreatment and violations of their rights, including beatings, threats, and humiliation. The list of political prisoners includes activists, students, and deputies, Havana Times reports.

Rejection of blockade and aggressions against Cuba

Nicaragua has rejected the U.S. blockade against Cuba and condemns the inclusion of countries in unilateral lists, according to TeleSur. The Latin nation defended Cuba's sovereignty and demanded the exclusion of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. "These lists and the inclusion of the sister Republic of Cuba in them are a more widely used instrument by the United States to justify the adoption of illegal, coercive measures in order to exert economic and political pressure, in a clear violation of the sovereignty of the Cuban State," a statement released by the Nicaraguan government said. They also support UN resolutions to end the aggression against Cuba, TeleSur reports.

Russian training Centre, gold mining companies sanctioned by U.S.

The US has sanctioned a Russian training centre and two gold mining companies in Nicaragua, along with restricting visas for 250 government officials. The sanctions are aimed at targeting the Ortega-Murillo regime's repression of the Nicaraguan people and its ability to manipulate the gold sector, according to Confidencial. All U.S. citizens are prohibited from transacting with these entities, and any assets they hold in the United States will be blocked. Additionally, visa restrictions were imposed on government officials and non-governmental actors for their roles in supporting the regime's attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms, Confidencial reports.